To head off a flare, I increased Pred. dose to 7.5 mg. ,and now can't sleep at nite .

[1Purplecrow]

To head off a flare, I have increased Pred back to 7.5. Am also packing up our home and actively looking for new one with NO stairs!

The thrift store is getting truck loads of discards since our goal is to downsize and shed a lot of encumbrances that no longer have importance.

With increase of Pred, I find I can't sleep.

I take my dose about 5 am, since I usually wake up that time anyway. I read on this forum that the body naturally produces cortisol in early AM, and dosing at that time helps reduce some of the pressure on the system.

But, even with my dose at 5am, I wake up at midnight (or sooner) and remain up till dawn. Sometimes I manage to grab another hour at 7 am, but usually don't even feel need for a nap in afternoon.

Do any others find themselves NightOwls?

[yevrah]

hi purplecrow

oh yes i have become a night owl, driving me crazy and exhausted between 3.30 and 4am everyday, doesnt matter how early of how late i go to bed, same time every day. never been a good sleeper but this is just driving me totally crazy

[Threeyearson]

Me too! Feel I have given up sleep!! Have recently had a flare and increased from 8 to 10 mg. Am like a zombie, every so often it seems to catch up and I sleep and sleep, glad I am retired and can do this, but straight back to brief naps and waking exhausted. Never slept well but this is beyond anything experienced before. Am in my fourth year now and find I am having to choose between pain or getting sleep. Some days are good [ish]! Just wanted to let you know purplecrow that you are not alone!

[1Purplecrow]

Hi night owls.. Glad to hear others are experiencing this effect of prednisone. I'm going to pack some boxes tonight. Might as well use the extra time

[Whittlesey]

I moved from a studio apt. in Manhattan to a one bedroom. The funding for the move became problematic, while it was pending, I did a lot of the move myself or I would have lost the apartment. I knew I was in a flare. I increased the 5mgs of medrol I was on at the time to ten or 15 mgs a day and took two aspirins instead of the one. It was very hard and very painful, but I did it. Would encourage people to get help moving, with what we are dealing with -- GCA and medrol. moving heavy things makes this much worse. I had no choice. went into the hospital two weeks after moving. found some arteries dissecting and got good treatment, then had the Visiting Nurses come twice a week. would urge a lot of caution and make sure you take the medicines.

On the sleeping, initially when I was on 60 mgs, of prednisone, I was also on oxycotin for pain. I would take this at night, sometimes with gabapentin. Both dealt with the pain and helped sleep. I now take valium for pain and this too makes me sleepy, so sometimes I wait until night before taking one or two. Also a glass of hot milk with some honey with the valium, can help quite a bit.

Those are my remedies. Of course check with your doctor, tell her/him what you are dealing with. My doctors are ok with what I am doing and are supportive on this aspect. One important point, is , I believe, we have to survive the prednisone as we survive these very serious diseases.

Wishing you much luck with everything and especially the moving. I even left some things behind, because I was worried about a stroke or a heart attack. I am sure you will be fine with it, but be a little careful

wishing you health and good nights

all my best, Whittlesey, NYC U.S.

[1Purplecrow]

Hi whittlesey, thanks for the words of encouragement.

Your suggestion of warm milk is good. That drink, plus an aspirin and a Tylenol, sometimes helps me get back to sleep .

Best to you on your journey.